Ballistic Shield Lens Protector

ABSTRACT

A removable protective cover for the viewing lens of portable ballistic shields for use during storage and transportation of the shields. The cover will consist of fabric and can be affixed to the shield using either Velcro, magnets, or buttons providing for easy removal and attachment of the cover.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

1. Field

The invention relates to a protective cover for the viewing lens of ballistic shields used in law enforcement and the military. The protective cover will help prevent damage to the lens during storage and transportation. The cover will consist of a fabric and will be attached to the shield using a variety of methods that include Velcro, magnets, or buttons. The size of the cover will depend on the size of the lens it is designed to cover.

2. Background

The present invention relates to a protective cover for portable ballistic or bullet-proof shields used in law enforcement and the military. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fabric protective cover for the lens of ballistic shields for use while the shields are in storage or in transit.

Law enforcement and military forces often use portable ballistic shields to aid them in tactical operations. These shields often have a small clear ballistic lens that allow law enforcement and military operators the ability to see what is in front of them while standing behind the protection of the shield.

When not in use, these shields are often stored in the trunks of vehicles and placed where the lens can be easily scratched, scuffed, or marked causing visible scratches or markings on the lens making the ability to see through it difficult.

This protective cover will help prevent these scratches and scuffs that occur to the shields during transportation and storage. This improves the effectiveness and life of the ballistic shield.

BRIEF

For a better understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference is had to the following figures and detailed description, wherein like elements are accorded like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a standard ballistic shield shown with adhesive Velcro strips affixed below and above the ballistic lens.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of the exemplary embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the current invention attached to the front of a standard ballistic shield.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back of a standard ballistic shield shown with adhesive Velcro strips affixed below and above ballistic lens.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front of the exemplary embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the current invention attached to the back of a standard ballistic shield.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front of the exemplary embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the back of the exemplary embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates two exemplary embodiments of the Velcro attachment configurations back of on the current invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates six exemplary embodiments of the protective cover using magnets and buttons in different configurations on the back of the current invention.

DETAILED

Shown in FIG. 1 is the front of a standard ballistic shield 20. The shield 20 has a viewing lens 21 centered in the upper portion of the shield 20 to allow the operator to see what is in front of him while standing behind the shield 20. On the outside of the shield 20 is an affixed Velcro strip 22 below and above the lens 21 in a thin strip running the length of the lens 21. The length of the affixed Velcro 22 will be cut to correspond with the size of the viewing lens 21. Depending on the type of shield 20 and its composition, a magnet 33 or buttons 36 may be affixed in a similar manner to create the same desired effect.

Shown in FIG. 4 is the back of a standard ballistic shield 20. The shield has a viewing lens 21 centered in the upper portion of the shield 20 to allow the operator to see what is in front of him while standing behind the shield 20. On the inside of the shield 20 is an affixed Velcro strip 22 below and above the lens 21 in a thin strip running the length of the lens 21. The length of the affixed Velcro 22 will be cut to correspond with the size of the viewing lens 21. Depending on the type of shield 20 and its composition a magnet 33 or buttons 36 may be affixed in a similar manner to create the same desired effect.

The protective cover will consist of a durable fabric cut to a size to correspond with the lens it is designed to cover and protect. Attached to one side of the protective fabric cover shall be Velcro, or a magnet, or buttons in a pattern designed to correspond and fit the design of the matching item on the ballistic shield.

The design and material used to affix the protective cover to the ballistic shield will depend on the shield itself. Ballistic shields used today by law enforcement and military personnel are made from a variety of materials and have a variety of different sized and shaped viewing lens. Depending on the shield Velcro, magnets, or buttons may be attached to shield to allow for the attachment of the protective cover.

By having Velcro, magnets, or buttons on both the protective fabric cover and ballistic shield a person operating the shield may remove or attach the protective fabric cover quickly with ease. The Velcro, magnets, or buttons will hold the protective cover in place while the ballistic shield is being stored or while it is in transit protecting it from scuffs, scratches, and abrasions that obstruct the viewing lens. Furthermore, by affixing Velcro, magnets, or buttons to the outside surface of the ballistic shield the ballistic quality of the shield is not compromised.

Different configurations of attaching Velcro, or magnets, or buttons on the protective cover are shown. FIG. 8 shows attached Velcro strips affixed to the top and bottom of the protective cover. FIG. 9 a shows attached Velcro strips 31 running down each side of the protective cover. FIG. 9 b shows attached Velcro strips 32 affixed to each corner of the protective cover. FIG. 10 a shows magnet strips 33 affixed to top and bottom of the protective cover. FIG. 10 b shows magnet strips 34 affixed to the sides of the protective cover. FIG. 10 c shows magnet strips 35 affixed to the corners of the protective cover. FIG. 10 d shows buttons 36 lined along the top and bottom of the protective cover. FIG. 10 e shows buttons 37 lining the sides of the protective cover. FIG. 10 f shows buttons 38 affixed to the corners of the protective corner. These exemplary ways to configure the protective cover are all designed to match the ballistic shield it is designed to be attached to. The Velcro, magnets, or buttons would be affixed to the ballistic shield in a design to match the protective cover. Accordingly, each of these configurations shown are designed specifically for the protective cover.

The protective cover shall be most effective when a protective cover is attached to the front of the shield protecting the front of the lens and a protective cover is attached to the back of the ballistic shield protecting the backside of the lens.

By using a fabric protective cover, the cover will also be able to wipe and clean the lens in the event a substance on it and it needed to be wiped off.

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A removable protective cover for the viewing lens of portable ballistic shields comprising: A fabric cover affixed on one side with Velcro, magnets, or buttons Said Velcro, magnets, or buttons shall be attached to protective cover corresponding to Velcro, magnets, or buttons attached to ballistic shield Said Velcro, magnets, or buttons attached to ballistic shield shall be placed in place around ballistic viewing lens on ballistic shield
 2. The removable protective cover shall be able to easily attached and removed from the portable ballistic shield
 3. The removable protective cover shall vary on size depending and corresponding with ballistic viewing lens it is designed for Said protective cover will fit over the entire viewing lens on the portable ballistic shield it is designed to protect
 4. The removable protective cover shall be comprised of durable fabric capable of protecting lens
 5. The removable protective cover shall protect the viewing lens of portable ballistic shields from scratches, marks, and scuffs while attached to the portable ballistic shield 